title: Survey investigating homosexual behaviour among adult males used to estimate the prevalence of HIV and AIDS among men who have sex with men in Japan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study investigated the prevalence of male homosexual behaviour among adult men and of HIV and AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-MSM in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous self-administered postal questionnaire, and national HIV and AIDS notifications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Same-sex sexual experience was reported by 2.0% of respondents. The prevalence of HIV and AIDS was 0.8818% among MSM and 0.0130% among non-MSM, indicating that HIV and AIDS are 68 times more prevalent among MSM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings underestimate homosexual and HIV prevalence due to several methodological limitations. The high prevalence of HIV and AIDS among MSM in comparison with non-MSM indicates the urgent need to prioritise funding and programs targeting MSM in Japan.
authors.forename: Seiichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Noriyo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koerner
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shiono
authors.forename: Akitomo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shingae
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult